Subject: Is it disrespectful to not use a title |
Bible Note: To your question: “Does that look like it can be used as a title?” Most certainly if read in the proper context. I don’t wish to debate this with you Sister. Simply wanted to provide some Scripture you claimed didn’t exist. Christ has many titles and Apostle was one of them and most assuredly it was implied and applied by the author of Hebrews as I have pointed out. If you do your word substituting here and elsewhere, the Twelve could not have the title either so let’s just remove the word and the title and office it is associated with. Some commentary below that I find helpful. Hope you do as well. In Him, WOS “The apostle - The word “apostle” is nowhere else applied to the Lord Jesus. The word means one who “is sent” - and in this sense it might be applied to the Redeemer as one “sent” by God, or as by way of eminence the one sent by him. But the connection seems to demand that; there should be some allusion here to one who sustained a similar rank among the Jews; and it is probable that the allusion is to Moses, as having been the great apostle of God to the Jewish people, and that Paul here means to say, that the Lord Jesus, under the new dispensation, filled the place of Moses and of the high priest under the old, and that the office of “apostle” and “high priest,” instead of being now separated, as it was between Moses and Aaron under the old dispensation, was now blended in the Messiah. The name “apostle” is not indeed given to Moses directly in the Old Testament, but the verb from which the Hebrew word for apostle is derived is frequently given him. Thus, in Exo_3:10, it is said, “Come now, therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh.” And in Heb_3:13, “The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you.” So also in Heb_3:14-15, of the same chapter. From the word there used - shaalach - “to send.” The word denoting “apostle - shaliyach - is derived; and it is not improbable that Moses would be regarded as being by way of eminence the one “sent” by God. Further, the Jews applied the word ” - shaliyach - “apostle,” to the minister of the synagogue; to him who presided over its affairs, and who had the general charge of the services there; and in this sense it might be applied by way of eminence to Moses as being the general director and controller of the religious affairs of the nation, and as “sent” for that purpose. The object of Paul is to show that the Lord Jesus in the Christian system - as the great apostle sent from God - sustained a rank and office similar to this, but superior in dignity and authority.” – Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible “the Apostle and High Priest of our profession — There is but one Greek article to both nouns, “Him who is at once Apostle and High Priest” - Apostle, as Ambassador (a higher designation than “angel”-messenger) sent by the Father (Joh_20:21), pleading the cause of God with us; High Priest, as pleading our cause with God. Both His Apostleship and High Priesthood are comprehended in the one title, Mediator [Bengel]. Though the title “Apostle” is nowhere else applied to Christ, it is appropriate here in addressing Hebrews, who used the term of the delegates sent by the high priest to collect the temple tribute from Jews resident in foreign countries, even as Christ was Delegate of the Father to this world far off from Him (Mat_21:37). Hence as what applies to Him, applies also to His people, the Twelve are designated His apostles, even as He is the Father’s (Joh_20:21). It was desirable to avoid designating Him here “angel,” in order to distinguish His nature from that of angels mentioned before, though he is “the Angel of the Covenant.” The “legate of the Church” (Sheliach Tsibbur) offered up the prayers in the synagogue in the name of all, and for all. So Jesus, “the Apostle of our profession,” is delegated to intercede for the Church before the Father. The words “of our profession,” mark that it is not of the legal ritual, but of our Christian faith, that He is the High Priest. Paul compares Him as an Apostle to Moses; as High Priest to Aaron. He alone holds both offices combined, and in a more eminent degree than either, which those two brothers held apart.” – Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary |